December 12, 1888.] 



Garden and forest. 



501 



the legs and ro.unded portions of furniture, but, as a rule, 

 does not furnish handsome panehng. Our Wahiuts, of 

 which we have 150,000 left, after as many have been de- 

 stroyed and others abandoned, do not impress us as of 

 much value, and for the present we shall plant no more. 



Our attention was directed to the White Pine as flourish- 

 ing- upon our particular soil by a wild settlement of these 

 trees in the midst of one of our Yellow Pine forests. Here 

 we foimd a parent tree, ninety feet high, grown probably from 

 a seed dropped by a bird of passage, possibly from far-off 

 Maine. It has germinated, reached maturity and developed 

 seed, which, falling around, has in turn germinated and 

 developed seed-bearing trees, till now the growth of several 

 generations of trees stand in concentric circles. This natural 

 group clearly indicates that soil and climate were hospitable 

 to the White Pine. The results of our own plantations, in 

 addition to this example, make it quite evident that the 

 White Pine can be grown successfully. The principal diffi- 

 culty with plantations of this tree lies in securing a stand in 

 the first instance, as a large percentage of the seedlings die. 



The Douglas Fir I consider the best of the two ever- 

 greens. It grows as rapidly as the White Pine, and if it 

 escapes the ills of forest life and reaches maturity, it will be 

 more valuable. One of its merits is early maturity. Its 

 long, tapering and light trunk particularly suits it for ship- 

 spars, while the older trees reach vast proportions and form 

 a. trunk far surpassing the White Pine of Maine. This 

 tree for Eastern plantations should be grown from Colo- 

 rado seed, as the Oregon variety is not so hardy. 



I would recommend that the White Pine and' the Douglas 

 Fir be planted in alternate rows, so tliat in case of destruc- 

 tion of either variety by insect depredations or soil in- 

 fluences, there may be a chance for the remaining variety to 

 reach maturity. Indeed, all plantations should" be mixed 

 for the same reason, but they must be mixed judiciously. 



After eighteen years of practical forest-planting on a small 

 scale, I conclude that for the particular region of tide-water 

 Virginia — and I think I may venture to sav as well for tide- 

 water Delaware, Maryland and North Carolina — there are 

 only four trees to plant ; I conclude, also, that it is very 

 questionable if it he profitable in that region to plant at all, 

 so long as the Loblolly Pine will spring up in every field just 

 as soon as annual cultivation ceases. How the seeds get 

 there I cannot tell, but they will spring up in the centre of a 

 one-hundred-acre field simultaneously with their appearance 

 upon its tree-fringed l>orders. 



This Pine will start without plowing, and it will grow 

 under the most adverse circumstances. It will take care of 

 itself in spite of wild hogs and stray cattle. Fire is its worst 

 enemy. In twenty years it will make twenty cords of brick- 

 yard fuel, and for every year thereafter an additional cord 

 or more, till at forty years it will cut fifty cords of first-class 

 wood ; the only expenses being the taxes, which altogether 

 do not equal one-half of one per cent. 



Correspondence. 

 Horticultural Exhibitions. 



To the Editor of Garden and Forest : 



Sir. — Whenever I attend horticultural exhibitions in different 

 cities, the question comes to my mind ; Are they managed 

 properly ? Do we use the material to the best advantage, 

 not only from an educational, but from a financial point 

 of view ? I have before me a number of reports of horticul- 

 tural societies. Turning to the lists of standing committees, I 

 find the names of men who have made national reputations 

 for themselves in the learned professions, in art, in science 

 or in various branches of business. Turning to the list of ex- 

 hibitors, I find many names equally famous. In both cases they 

 are men of refined and cultivated tastes; men whohave proved 

 their ability by their success. Again, I turn to the treasurer's 

 report, and, without going into details, it appears, as every one 

 knows, that the exhibitions rarely prove financially successful. 



What are the causes of this failure, and what are the rem- 

 edies? There are plenty of standing committees. Possilily they 

 have been standing too long. There are plenty of good push- 

 ing men on them who are" successful in their own business. 

 Why are they not successful here ? 



Is it because they are held back by some of the older mem- 

 bers who cling to " the good, old methods " ? If it is a lack of 

 money, this, I believe, could be overcome by personal sub- 

 scription, if the members could show the public any ad- 

 vanced ideas that would be beneficial. The wealthy gentle- 



men always seem very glad to do their part in contributing 

 their specimen plants. 

 Allow me to suggest : 



1. That the entire hall in which an exhibition is to beheld be 

 treated to a thorough cleaning. 



2. Tliat it be profusely decorated with Laurel wreaths, 

 Laurel branches, evergreen trees and other greenery, from the 

 entrance to the dome. In most cases I believe enough en- 

 thusiasm could be aroused among the members to contriljute 

 to this in the shape of labor, material or money. 



3. That the tables, benches and staging, in every instance, 

 be covered either with paint, moss or evergreens, instead of 

 with bare, broken, rough and age-stained boards. 



4. That in front of these tables, instead of allowing the trestles 

 and horses to show or attempting to hide them with paper, I 

 would suggest using some kind of cloth with eyelet holes fastened 

 with screw-eyes, which could be used a number of years. 



5. That proper vases be obtained in which to show cut 

 flowers, and that these should be always kept clean, and par- 

 ticularly so if transparent. 



6. That exhibitors of Grapes be requested to hang all 

 Grapes, and that the amount of " bloom " be a strong point in 

 judging, while those that have been carefully polished should 

 be tiarred. 



7. That if vegetables are to form a part of the exhibition, 

 none but remarkable specimens be admitted. 



8. That if enough social influence could be brought to 

 bear, the first night be devoted to " Society," with lady 

 patronesses and a banquet and bouquets for the patronesses 

 only. I have no doubt but that the tickets or invitations 

 could be disposed of at five dollars apiece. The day follow- 

 ing should be open to all at fifty cents apiece. Every part of 

 the house would have to be opened to accommodate the crowd. 



9. That if "Society" could not be induced to participate 

 (which is hardly probable, as there are so many fashionable 

 people connected with horticultural societies), a number of 

 influential ladies be induced to interest themselves as a 

 Ladies' Committee. 



10. That a little money be expended upon the local papers, 

 which are always very kind, even to inferior shows. Make the 

 exhibitions worth illustrating, and they will give you hundreds 

 of dollars' worth of advertising. 



11. That two orchestras be engaged to give promenade con- 

 certs at fixed hours and music at frequent intervals. Some- 

 times barely enough money is realized to pay a singde band. 

 Have enough music to pay for itself. 



12. That all plants be named properly with both botanical 

 and common names. Mark the Pcristeria elaia the Holy 

 Ghost or Dove Plant; Nepenthes, the Pitcher Plant; Platyc'e- 

 riiiiii HUH, the Stag-horn Fern. A little description of these 

 flowers would attract a great deal of attention. A child can 

 see the resemblance, and it would interest all, while hereto- 

 fore they have been passed by almost unnoticed. 



13. That exhibitors of cut flowers should be required to have 

 them renewed or freshened up from time to time, and that all 

 watering of plants should be done early. 



14. That few complimentary tickets should be given out. 



15. That all exhibits, and especially those of cut flowers and 

 designs, should be judged by " points." If one plan could be 

 adopted all over the country, judges from other states would 

 be preferable. 



i6. That premiums should he liberal, and awarded with the 

 greatest care. 



17. That if at any time during the exhibition the attendance 

 is not too large, complimentary tickets be sent to difterent 

 schools interested in botany, which would prove valuable 

 from an educational standpoint. 



18. That the managing editors of the city pa]-iers should be 

 notified of the efforts that are being made to make this the 

 grandest display of plants and flowers ever offered by this 

 society ; that the "society " people of the city are taking a more 

 active part than formerly, and that it is expected to lie one of 

 the social events of the season. That a committee of well- 

 informed men be appointed to receive all reportei-s, not only 

 to repay them in a slight way for their kindness, but to aid 

 them in their work, that a technically correct report may be 

 given of the exhibition. 



19. That for a Chrysanthemum show the decoration should 

 be most elaborate. Japanese vases, rugs, screens and lanterns 

 would be very appropriate. 



Philadelphia. ' -^- ^- Ba/iles. 



